I think everyone can agree: there is nothing like being home for the holidays. Each family has their own traditions, their own festitivies, and their own special dishes. Therefore, being away from home can be and is difficult. Missing out on family parties and seeing all the pictures of friends celebrating together gives me major FOMO.

Becauase I knew we would be away, I wanted to make sure that we started our own traditions so it would be special + unique to us {and so we wouldn't be moping around wishing we were home!}. So, besides making some family dishes passed along to us, this year, we decided to attend the Royal Albert Hall on Christmas Eve. And, if we are here next Christmas {ugh}, we will definitely be going back for the Carols by Candlelight!

The Royal Albert Hall is breathtakingly stunning. I heard it was beautiful, but I didn't expect it to be this regal + festive. The Hall itself was giant, holding 6,000 people, and yet it was warm + intimate, lit up with sparkling lights, elegant holiday decor, and rich, red velvety fabrics. The show was filled with carols, singlongs {the best part!}, and Christmas readings. The 3-hour show felt very London, in a royal sense {I can imagine the Queen + Prince having their own box}, but also unique to our little family.

So while we were bummed to be away from our families this year, we had a great + memorable holiday weekend. Next up: A Spanish New Years Eve!

The sweater with a play on Drake's popular song, Hotline Bling {that can only mean one thing ;)}, made me chuckle as I debated on buying it. Do I need really another Christmas "jumper" {British for sweater}? The answer should always be and is always: YES, at least while we are living in London.

London goes all out for Christmas. If you follow me on Instagram, you'd see all the lights + decorations the city has displayed since the beginning of October {yes, OCTOBER! Even before Halloween!}. And while people at home are decked out in holiday sweaters for their "ugly Christmas sweater" themed party, the Brits seriously {as one can be} wear their sweaters to work, to the pub, to go shopping, walking around, having coffee, etc. It's an essential part of the winter wardrobe here, so I just had to get the sweater.

Being in London this entire holiday season {I'm missing home!}, I've learned that not only are Christmas sweaters a big deal, but I've also learned a few more cultural differences compared to The States:

1. I'm sure I mentioned this last year, but to reiterate, the city celebrates Christmas and only Christmas. It's Christmas everywhere: Christmas trees + wreaths on private doors, in public squares, restaurants, pubs, schools, etc. People only wish others a "Merry Christmas". I asked a Jewish student of mine if he was offended by this, his reply: "Not at all. Americans are so concerned about what's politically correct. It's absurd." So there you go. Christmas is all around us {cue the Love Actuallysong}.

3. London is LIT! Everything and anything is decorated with glittering lights. Not just the high or main streets, but every little street, every store front, every pub and restaurant...

Carnaby Street in Soho

Oxford and Regent Street {above + below} have been decorated since the beginning of October.

St. Christopher's Place above + Covent Garden below

Cartier store on New Bond Street {there are more lights on Old Bond Street!} all wrapped up as a gift to passerbys.

4. It will not snow, much to my dismay. Now, I don't want Chiberia flying over here, but can a girl get a flake or two so it feels like Christmas?!

5. Social calendars seem to fill up since Christmas parties are no joke here, unless of course you work in a school. Businesses seem to have multiple Christmas parties, lunches, and dinners. Ross, for instance, had a full-day Christmas party that started at 10 in the AM and ended until the last person stumbled home and/or the pub closed. He also had a team Christmas dinner the following week. We even went to a celebratory Christmas breakfast with Swedish carolers before work one day.

6. Traditional English Christmas dinner is similar to our Thanksgiving meal, with turkey and stuffing. Since we've been there + done that {and because our turkey had feathers still on it, which we had to burn off with a lighter *ugh* and I just.can't.even.deal.}, we'll be having a very Italian Christmas dinner comprised of bruschetta and lasagna :).

7. Boxing Day is apparently like our Black Friday and is a national holiday {though, they've adopted this American tradition, as well, yet it seems to be misplaced and confused here}. After doing some research, the history of Boxing Day was truly made for servants who were granted the day off, went home to their families, and took home gift boxes from their employers. Nowadays, I think it's meant to be spent with family. Maybe ours will be spent in a pub ;).

8. Speaking of pubs, most are packed this time of year with holiday dinner specials + parties. Unlike The States where many friends host parties in their homes, the flats here are too small {our 550 sq. ft. place couldn't hold a proper party}. Seems like pubs are a popular party spot in the winter and parks are a popular meeting ground in the spring/summer.

9. Santa Claus is oddly named "Father Christmas" here. I can't get on board with that one.

10. Secret Santa, should a workplace or friend organize the gift exchange, seems to be truly secret {gasp!}. I've participated twice now at school and Ross has participated twice at work, and each time if you don't know your gift giver, it will always remain a secret. I have no clue who gave me some fancy tea maker last year and a blanket this year. As someone who likes to thank the giver {and as someone who doesn't like secrets}, I can't get on board with this either.

So the lesson learned about Christmas in London? Despite the nuances between "our" Christmas + "their" Christmas, it cannot be argued that London is the most jolly + festive during the holiday season, which makes it the best time to visit compared to any other time of year. ​​​

Truth 3: I don't know the correct spelling of Bruges or Brugge {this still remains true}.

And Truth 4: I was pleasantly surprised by this storybook town.

It's cozy. It's quaint. It's Instagrammable and it's oh-so-ideal for the holidays. Bruges looks like a gingerbread village and it smells of a Christmas {insert all the Christmas emojis, happy dance emojis, and smiley faces}, with its brick buildings + cobblestone streets.

The town, located an hour from Brussels in Belgium {Brussels is a 3-hour train ride from London}, is a peaceful respite from a chaotic city. It's small enough where you could access any attraction, restaurant, or shop within a 5-10 minute walk. In fact, it's so small they don't have Ubers {even Doha, Qatar had Ubers when I didn't expect it!}. It's also so small that there isn't much to do but walk around and pretend like you are the star in a black-and-white Christmas movie, strolling through the markets, eating Belgian waffles + chocolate, and admiring the fairytale homes + doors {ok, you could also go to the fry museum but the museum sounds better than it actually is!}.

Our hotel {which I normaly wouldn't comment on} was spectacular. The Duke's Palace was opulent and yet warm; I could've spent all of my time in the hotel!

I mean...how magical + charming is this family-owned restaurant just minutes from our hotel?!

Can't go to Belgium and not try their waffles at a cafe appropriately named Gingerbread Tea Room.

300+ steps to get the top of the Bell Tower and get the best views of the town!

That little, red box on the steps reads, "Free Wrapping Paper!" further adding to the magic of the season and this Christmasy city!

I clealry can't get enough of the doors and windows!

For a medieval, fairytale town with a holiday vibe, Bruges is a perfect 1-day getaway {after all, there's only so much you can do in a gingerbread village} right after Thanksgiving and to kick off the Christmas season.